5th September 2012
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#1 | | Gear nut
Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Sweden
Posts: 92
Thread Starter  | To go Neve or not to go Neve?
To go Neve or not to go Neve, that is the question? At least it's the question for me.
I have stumbled across a Neve v3 48 ch console that I'm considering buying.
It's an old console and I'm aware of the fact that it's going to need some takinge care of. The fact is that there are issues with the console as it is today. There are minor faults like switches, bulbs and stuff like that, that needs changing and repair. The powersupplies also need attention. The console is decommisioned so it's hard to test drive the desk.
Im a pretty good tech and have very good conections with proffisional tech people. But still it's a big commitment to buy and old near vintage highend console.
What would be your take on a deal like this?
I know that it's a hard question to ask with out knowing the whole situation but I still like to hear what you people have to say?
Oh almost forgot! The asking price for the console is about 18.000$
__________________ Fredrik
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JFKSTUDIO
www.jfkstudio.se | 
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5th September 2012
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#2 | | Moderator
Joined: Jun 2006 Location: Sydney via London
Posts: 18,929
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I would not buy a v3 console. I've only used one example, but I don't think they're as well built as the vr, there's no recall (at least there wasn't on the model I used), and I think you'd at least double that cost in maintenance and commissioning.
Preamps also quite noisy at high gain levels, and does anyone like the neve channel dynamics?!
The v3 is not "classic neve", nor "vintage". The one I used to use was replaced by an 8048 - and as the owner of the desk commented, it was nice to get a "real neve" in the studio.
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5th September 2012
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#3 | | Not vintage? Burn it.
Joined: Dec 2010 Location: Glendora
Posts: 808
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Offer them $10k. Thats what its worth decommissioned. The peripherals on that desk can be a nightmare. Pretty much everything is as complicated as it gets. Every v3 I worked on did not sound that great, and that seems to be what everyone says about them. Not a bad desk, just... yeah..
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5th September 2012
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#4 | | Gear Head
Joined: Mar 2006 Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 62
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Switches on the V series are not a "minor fault". They are a big deal, and a huge headache. I've seen 48 chan. SSL desks with a clean bill of health and tech documentation go for $18k, the V3 doesn't sound like a deal at all.
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5th September 2012
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#5 | | Gear interested
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27
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Do some research first on parts availability and cost. The dialastat switches were no longer being made at one point. When I bought replacement parts about 10 years ago, the simplest switch was about $12 each. Prices go up from there. Some of the multi-deck pots were $70 each. It's not a matter of if a switch or pot will fail, it's when. The switches do not last long before they oxidize or fail mechanically. They are not easy to replace. Tracks get lifted off the PCB's very easily and create even more troubleshooting fun when you put it back in the console.
Personally, I wouldn't put the time or money into a V series Neve. Maintenance will be a nightmare and costly.
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5th September 2012
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#6 | | Gear nut
Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Sweden
Posts: 92
Thread Starter |
Ok maybe I should pass on this desk then. It would have looked nice in my controlroom though 
I don't think they will take a bid like 10 grands. But hey it may be worth a try.
A clean SSL 48 ch for 18.000 would be a nice deal but here over seas in Sweden I have not seen any desks for that price.
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6th September 2012
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#7 | | Gear nut
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 144
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save your money and buy something later - let the GAS pass  | |
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6th September 2012
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#8 | | Not vintage? Burn it.
Joined: Dec 2010 Location: Glendora
Posts: 808
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Patience is the key when buying a desk. Wait, a deal will come up. Never buy a desk unless you can see it working and go through every channel, everything.
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6th September 2012
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#9 | | Gear addict
Joined: Oct 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 453
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex Breaux  Patience is the key when buying a desk. Wait, a deal will come up. Never buy a desk unless you can see it working and go through every channel, everything. | What every one said here is good sound advice. Take your time buying a desk and don't rush. Stay away from the v3.
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12th September 2012
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#10 | | Gear Head
Joined: Jun 2010 Location: Stockholm
Posts: 49
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OP> Is it the one on Blocket?
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12th September 2012
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#11 | | Gear Guru
Joined: Nov 2005 Location: S.Carolina
Posts: 12,238
| Quote:
Originally Posted by VT-MHE What every one said here is good sound advice. Take your time buying a desk and don't rush. Stay away from the v3. | Boy you are so right, take your time on a desk, I was not even looking for a pro desk and 2 fell in my lap for 2800, I run one and keep the other one for parts.
__________________ Don't Fu*k with my Tone !!!.
I need a spell check app  Harrison~ Neve~ API~ BAE~ Dan Alexander~ Fuchs~ John Hardy~ JLM~ Urei/UA | |
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13th September 2012
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#12 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Arizona
Posts: 237
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BAE
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13th September 2012
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#13 | | Moderator
Joined: Jun 2006 Location: Sydney via London
Posts: 18,929
| Quote:
Originally Posted by NandoOg7 BAE | Eh?
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13th September 2012
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#14 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Zurich
Posts: 1,185
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Yes, BAE
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13th September 2012
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#15 | | Moderator
Joined: Jun 2006 Location: Sydney via London
Posts: 18,929
| Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkyGoldstein Yes, BAE | Bae don't make desks do they?
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18th September 2012
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#16 | | Gear interested
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4
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Depends on the price and how many channels you need. You can run the desk with one PSU having 24-36 channels running. Lots of spares 
Its a great sounding desk if you know what you are doing. Its still one of the best analog desks out there, dynamics and full eq on each strip and all features you need for mixing. The solo switches are hard to find but there is a similar switch for diodes that work. Call VSA (877) 810-8570 Have all spares you will need.
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18th September 2012
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#17 | | Moderator
Joined: Jun 2006 Location: Sydney via London
Posts: 18,929
| Quote:
Originally Posted by s_andersen Its a great sounding desk if you know what you are doing. Its still one of the best analog desks out there, dynamics and full eq on each strip and all features you need for mixing. | It is taste, but I respectfully disagree here. It's a long way behind what I'd consider the "best" analogue consoles out there, and whilst my experience is limited to one example in particular, the build quality is noticeably worse than all the VRs I've ever seen. I found the preamps hissy at higher gains (but not "high" gain), and generally reports from the techs I know that they're a pain to maintain.
On a personal level, I'm not fond of the EQ or dynamics either.
If you need a desk, and could get an SSL-G for the same money...It'd be a no-brainer to me.
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18th September 2012
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#18 | | Lives for gear
Joined: May 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 2,067
| Quote:
Originally Posted by psycho_monkey It's a long way behind what I'd consider the "best" analogue consoles out there. | They also don't age well. At $18k, it's highly probable that you're buying A LOT of Lemons ...
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18th September 2012
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#19 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Feb 2008 Location: Paris, Amsterdam, London
Posts: 2,068
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For the love of god ( and your wallet ) don't. Not for that price. The maintenance and repair is a pita and very expensive if you dont have the spare parts already in house. The desk is also a good eater and those channels can "hang" quickly and break down aux pots/cards are a common fact.
But I don't think that a GOOD V serie sound bad. Ok not the classic neve sound, neither so functional as a ssl for mixing but it's a ok/good desk for tracking I think and usable for a mix.
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18th September 2012
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#20 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,348
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Do NOT buy a Neve V
Runs hot
Will need a lot of repairs
Especially capacitors
Not great sounding.
What you are looking at is a money pit.
Dont do it. Seriously.
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26th September 2012
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#21 | | Gear interested
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7
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Hi all! I am the one selling this particular console.
There is alot of great sounding productions made on these consoles, Westlake studio A has done a lot of great albums over the years and you find Neve V3 in many studios still.
J.F.K <-- Listen to Kent - Vapen & Ammunition, recorded and mixed on the Neve.
As for the Service part, compared with the SSL 4000G+ (I had before) and Amek Mozart with RN modules ( I have today ) there is not much difference, maybe an extra hour max to disassemble an input module.
As for running hot, The Amek Mozart RN are know to run hotter than any console out there, the former owner had installed silent fans that sucks the air out of the console and with 105C caps of today there is no problem at all.
The main issue with heat are the Solo&Mutes switches that has been hard to find but I have now found the very same switch for 10 USD a piece! The meters and a few switches are expensive and hard to find but there is a lot of parted consoles out there.
The asking price is about 13000 EURO
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26th September 2012
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#22 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Jul 2009 Location: Tucson, Az
Posts: 1,117
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26th September 2012
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#23 | | Gear maniac
Joined: May 2006 Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 213
| Quote:
Originally Posted by mixerguy Do NOT buy a Neve V
Runs hot
Will need a lot of repairs
Especially capacitors
Not great sounding.
What you are looking at is a money pit.
Dont do it. Seriously. | Agree 100%, money pit and doesn't even sound great, I would't mind a money pit if it were outputting EPIC sound. The V doesn't sadly.
__________________
Nick Moon
Tone Proper Mastering LLC - Analog Mastering
(888)283-3293 www.toneproper.com  | |
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26th September 2012
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#24 | | Moderator
Joined: Feb 2004 Location: Boston,MA Providence,RI
Posts: 16,337
| Quote:
Originally Posted by psycho_monkey Bae don't make desks do they? | No. They don't.
There is an Aurora sidecar coming out that's pretty awesome... but, they are the only folks I know making one.
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26th September 2012
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#25 | | Not vintage? Burn it.
Joined: Dec 2010 Location: Glendora
Posts: 808
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21st November 2012
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#26 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Oct 2007 Location: philadelphia
Posts: 926
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21st November 2012
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#27 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 186
| Quote:
Originally Posted by chet.d yeah but what about a neve - hummer edition !!?? | Lame! .... but I'll take it.
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